“Ka-226T utility chopper”

What is the News?

According to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the total indigenous content of the Ka-226T utility helicopters is between 27%-33%. These helicopters are to be locally manufactured with the Transfer of Technology(ToT) from Russia. However, the final deal is held up.

Facts:

 India-Russia Deal on Ka-226T

• In 2015, India and Russia had concluded an Agreement for at least 200 Ka-226T twin-engine utility helicopters. The estimated cost was over $1 billion. Among them, 60 helicopters to be directly imported and the remaining 140 manufactured locally.
• The helicopter is meant to replace the ageing and obsolete Cheetah and Chetak fleet of the Army and Air Force.
• However, the final deal is held up as the Russian proposal of 62% indigenous content in assembled helicopters falls short of the tender requirement of 70%.

 Ka-226T:

• Ka-226T is a design of Russia’s famous Kamov design bureau. It is a light helicopter with a maximum take-off weight of over 3.5 tonnes. It can carry a payload of up to 1 tonne.

Key Features of KA-226T:

• It uses coaxial rotors. It means it has two sets of rotors mounted one on top of the other and typically no tail rotor.
  • Coaxial rotors give improvements in lifting and payload capacity over conventional choppers.
  • This is particularly beneficial in high-altitude environments. Because in high altitudes aircraft’s performance at take-off tends to diminish due to the lower air density.
• It also has a unique, detachable ‘mission’ compartment instead of a conventional cabin.
  • This allows the helicopter to be adapted for different roles such as surveillance, cargo delivery etc.

Source: The Hindu